“Little scientists” is a phrase often batted around. Its popularity is not a surprise to teachers of young children. Kids are inherently curious about everything around them. This winter at HMS has been no exception. There is so much to explore, from our winter garden to the science shelves inside to many things in between.
The garden came first. After a fall planting of collards and kale, we discussed how many plants can’t survive cold temperatures but these should be OK. Then Mother Nature came along just before Christmas and froze our garden. “Gardening is hard,” was the lesson at the time, but soon enough nature amazed us when some–but not all–of the plants grew back when they “looked like” they were dead! After a few more replacements were planted alongside some herbs (mint, for now, soon basil will join) the wait for edible food is on!
Meanwhile inside the classroom, our science shelf has the very popular Magnet Tray. The children love testing the items on the tray to see if they attract the magnet or not. If that’s not enough, you just might find them walking the magnet around the classroom to see what it “sticks” to. Their findings are very interesting!
For the budding biologists the end of February has brought out oak pollen. The playground is full of it! Fortunately we have a microscope with which to investigate what this stuff really is. Did you know that it looks like itty-bitty flowers? Our biologists also see a lot of “dusty stuff.” Maybe that is the bad part?
Then, in case we didn’t have enough investigations, one of our interior doorknobs broke, and did you know… the children found “the insides” most interesting! We’ve spent quite some time exploring how the parts fit together, and turning it over and over. We hear that there are “so many small parts,” “it turns on the inside too,” and “those are gears.”
These kids are curious, yes. And also very observant.
